Mal Layne: From ISU, to Juilliard, to the World Stage

Mal Layne’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and pursuing your dreams.

Mal Layne is a trombonist originally from Boise, Idaho, where she played in band during high school. Her educational path has taken her from Idaho State University (ISU) to the Juilliard School and now to the professional stage in Germany.

Layne’s path to music was not a direct one. She initially pursued pre-medicine at ISU, but as she became more connected to the music department, she made the late switch to a music major, graduating with an Honors Bachelor of Music in 2022. Reflecting on her choice to attend ISU, Layne highlighted ISU’s strong scholarship opportunities and exceptional value.

Layne describes her academic experience at ISU as rewarding, and highlights the strong faculty in both STEM and music programs. She notes that many ISU professors have backgrounds from Ivy League universities, making them valuable resources for students. “It’s a real asset for us students to be able to pick their brains,” she said. The welcoming nature of ISU faculty also stood out to her, and she reflected on how the faculty are friendly when they deal with students.

Layne was especially influenced by her music professors. She described Dr. Eddy Ludema, a trumpet professor, as a talented musician with a wealth of knowledge, exceptionally experienced at what he does, and fun to work with. Professor Jon Armstrong, Director of Jazz Studies and the Commercial Music Program, also played a key role in her education. Through his guidance, Layne was able to compose songs, put together a group, and produce a jazz album at ISU’s Medina Recording Studio, located in the Department of Music. “How many other schools can let you do that?” said Mal.

Outside of music, Layne was involved in the Chemistry Club, Honors Club, and ISU Climbing Club. She appreciated ISU’s climbing wall at Reed Gym, which is free for students.

Layne was accepted into the Master of Music program at The Juilliard School, a world-renowned performing arts conservatory located in New York City. The school is a competitive conservatory, with an acceptance rate typically below 10%.

The faculty at ISU were instrumental in her pursuing a degree at Juilliard. “The faculty at ISU provided me with support and love,” she said.

Professor Ludema and Professor Armstrong believed in her when she doubted herself. After their assurance that she could play the trombone for a living, she proceeded to New York. She said, “I needed someone to tell me that because I didn’t believe it.” 

Layne recalled how, upon arriving at Juilliard, she met students from wealthy backgrounds who had played music professionally for years. She shares that because she did not have these privileges growing up, she had to connect to the art form and the artistic foundation she had developed at ISU as a source of strength. 

Another key lesson she took from her college experience was the importance of collaboration. She recalls a professor’s simple but powerful advice: “Play your butt off and be nice to everybody.” She continues to live by this principle in her career.

For current and prospective students, Layne emphasizes perseverance. “Don’t underestimate the power of baby steps to achieve your goal,” she advised. She encourages music students to dedicate at least fifteen minutes each day to practicing their instrument, as consistent effort leads to mastery.

Layne also pursued a job as a professional musician, which is a rigorous process. “The audition for a musician is essentially the job interview,” she said. “You must play a series of pieces to the orchestra and they will be sitting, observing, and judging you.”

She only had a few months to prepare for the concert that she was going to play for the audition, and in her case, she had to learn the German language as well. Her perseverance paid off when she landed a position with Theater Hagen, home to the Hagen Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany. Layne considers herself lucky because she got hired in Germany in January before her graduation. 

Layne believes that her time at ISU prepared her well for her career. Playing principal trombone in the ISU orchestra helped her build confidence, and she still applies those experiences to her performances today. 

After a recent concert in Germany, an audience member told her, “I never knew a trombone could sound so beautiful.” That moment reaffirmed her passion. “It takes a village to raise a trombonist,” she said. “I would not have been able to go to Juilliard and do what I am doing now if it had not been for ISU.” 

Mal Layne is a trombonist from Boise, Idaho, currently performing with the Hagen Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany. She earned an Honors Bachelor of Music from Idaho State University in 2022, where she was the principal trombonist in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Idaho State Civic Symphony. After ISU, she pursued a Master of Music at the Juilliard School in New York. In addition to her orchestral work, Layne has experience in jazz performance, music recording, and composition, having produced an album, “Integration by Parts,” during her time at ISU. Now she is living her dream in Germany.

About Our Contributors

Suparna Sinha is a PhD student and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Idaho State University. An international student from India, she is in her fifth semester of study, focusing on Postcolonial Eco-Feminist Literature and Dalit Literature. She has presented at international conferences, including the DEI in Education conference at ISU, NeMLA, WLA, and IGC. Her hobbies include solving cryptic puzzles, writing articles on positivity in her blog, and knitting.

Rudo Chigweshe is an international student from Zimbabwe pursuing a Ph.D. in English and the Teaching of English at Idaho State University. She previously earned a master’s degree in Communication, Media, and Persuasion at ISU in May 2020. Her research focuses on gender studies and militant motherhood in African literature.